Recent presidential pessimism about upstate New York — in which President Trump characterized the region as "an area that just isn't working" — notwithstanding, two visiting state officials this past week affirmed that Canandaigua, at least, has some building blocks in place for success and growth.

"You have the charm and the character and the sense of place here. That's something you can't put numbers on, but it's real," Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a women's roundtable Tuesday in Canandaigua. "I think this area is on the cusp. It's not going to get knocked back down anymore.”

It was a message reaffirmed the next day by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who toured the New York Wine and Culinary Center. DiNapoli said Canandaigua and the region "have many positives to build on, and some are unique to this area." Specifically pointing to the Finger Lakes region's burgeoning wine, beer and spirits industries and resources like the NYWCC, he noted, "Food manufacturing is a growth area."

Meanwhile, administrators, teachers and students prepared to start another year of personal growth and development, as schools readied to open to students this week.

"It's great to have people back in the school. Once you get everybody back next Tuesday, it's school again,” said Bloomfield district Superintendent Michael Midey.

Here's a sampling of what was said the week beginning Aug. 29:

TUESDAY, AUG. 29

“Assessment data should never be about sorting children. It should be about informing instruction. I'm very proud that all of our administrators and teacher leaders share this philosophy. The difference between an average school district and an excellent school district isn't effort, it's where the effort is directed."

Kristin Swann, association superintendent of educational services with the Victor Central School District, after statewide test results were announced

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 30

“The rate increase may be minor to you, but it’s major to us.”

Steve Janto, president of the Bristol Harbour Village Association, on a proposed 116 percent water rate hike

“It conflicted with our goal of clean water.”

Wade Sarkis, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association president, on the association's decision to stop selling flares for the annual Ring of Fire after this year

“You have the charm and the character and the sense of place here. That's something you can't put numbers on, but it's real. I think this area is on the cusp. It's not going to get knocked back down anymore.”

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, during a women's roundtable in Canandaigua

THURSDAY, AUG. 31

“Food manufacturing is a growth area. Certainly this being a center and knowing the importance of the wine industry, breweries and distilleries, it certainly validates and makes sense to build on that as a regional strength.”

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, during a visit to Canandaigua and tour of the New York Wine and Culinary Center

“Raising the starting wage to a living wage for our coworkers is just a smart thing to do. We believe that if we support our people, give them the tools to invest in their families and in their local neighborhoods, that this will pay the company back in the long game. It’s the same thinking as investing in a $100,000 piece of equipment that we believe will pay us a return on investment in the years to come.”

Jonathan Orpin, founder and president of Pioneer Millworks, which committed to a $15 hourly salary for full-time workers at its operations in Farmington and McMinnville, Oregon, beginning Labor Day

“We came to know the incoming class who will make our school awesome.”

“We can do anything we set our mind to and that we can do it if we work together. We're building a culture of innovation. We can empower students. We can be creative.”

Jamie Farr, Canandaigua City School District superintendent

"I made many mistakes in life, but now all I can try to do is help people.”

Tammy Janke, in recovery and raising a family after using heroin for five years, during a drug-awareness gathering at the Kershaw Park gazebo in Canandaigua

“The lake’s natural condition is very productive, and we are not going to change that. Using the tandem approach of harvester and shoreline barge cleanup, along with the cooperation of residents, we have a greater opportunity to help residents and visitors enjoy Honeoye Lake.”

Betsy Landre, a senior planner with Ontario County and point person for the Honeoye Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management Program, on efforts to manage weeds and algae on Honeoye Lake

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2

"... with this particular fire, the structure was on fire an hour before we even got a call, so it's very unlikely that additional staffing would have made any difference at all. When we got the call, we were there in minutes."

Canandaigua City Manager John Goodwin, on the July 13 fire that destroyed the Nolan's on Canandaigua Lake building

SUNDAY, SEPT. 3

“It’s something we’re ahead of the curve on. It gives me something I can market that we have this station, and an it’s an opportunity to come down and enjoy downtown.”

Denise Chaapel, manager of the Canandaigua Business Improvement District, on the installation of an electric car charging station downtown

“I'm looking forward to the new school year. There's great stuff, great people doing great things. It's great to have people back in the school. Once you get everybody back next Tuesday, it's school again.”

Michael Midey, Bloomfield Central School District superintendent

“We want to present our authentic cultural traditions that have been passed down to us verbally and in some cases recorded. By dancing it and speaking it, we ingrain it in our memories more.”

Peter Jemison, Ganondagan State Historic Site director, at the Seneca Heritage Day celebration Saturday in Middlesex

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